Metallic lined trunnion bearing for aircraft landing gear

ABSTRACT

A trunnion bearing includes an inner ring that has a first exterior surface and a first interior surface. The first exterior surface has a spherical contour. The trunnion bearing includes an outer ring that has a second interior surface and a second exterior surface. The second interior surface has a spherical contour. The inner ring is disposed at least partially in the outer ring. A metallic liner made of a copper based alloy is disposed between the first exterior surface of the inner ring and the second interior surface of the outer ring. The inner ring and/or the outer ring are made from a titanium based alloy.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part of and claims priority to, U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 16/007,404, for Hybrid Lined Trunnion Bearing for Aircraft Landing Gear, filed Jun. 13, 2018, which is a non-provisional application of and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/520,259, entitled “Hybrid Lined Trunnion Bearing for Aircraft Landing Gear”, filed on Jun. 15, 2017, the entirety of which are incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a trunnion bearing for aircraft landing gear, and more particularly to a trunnion bearing having an inner ring disposed for rotation in an outer ring and a metallic liner disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring, and a bushing disposed in the inner ring, the bushing having a lubrication reservoir therein. The present invention also relates to a trunnion bearing that has an inner ring disposed for rotation in an outer ring and a metallic liner disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring, the metallic liner having a lubrication reservoir therein.

BACKGROUND

Aircraft landing gear is designed to support the load of the aircraft when the aircraft is on the ground. The landing gear is attached to structural members of the aircraft. However, the landing gear is retracted into the aircraft during flight, for example by pivoting the landing gear into the aircraft via an actuation assembly. Typical actuation assemblies include multiple linkages pivotally connected to one another, the structural members of the aircraft and one or more actuators, by one or more bearings. The linkages include a pintle pivot joint which includes a pintle pin mounted via bearings on the pintle pivot joint. The landing gear rotates about and is supported by the pintle pin when the landing gear is extended and retracted relative to the aircraft. The pintle pin, pintle pivot joint and the bearings therein are highly stressed during landing maneuvers. The bearings typically include an inner ring mounted in an outer ring each of which have spherical bearing surfaces that slidingly engage one another. The inner ring of such bearings may be rotatingly mounted to a shaft in the actuation assembly or extending from the aircraft structure. However, such bearings are known to wear and require periodic maintenance for proper low torque operation.

The prior art bearings typically include corrosion resistant (CRES) stainless steel outer rings with copper alloy inner rings. However, such prior art bearings are heavy and tend to wear rapidly due to high friction experienced during misalignment of the inner ring relative to the outer ring.

Thus, there is a need for an improved bearing for aircraft landing gear that is light weight, has optimum tribology properties and operates at low torques.

SUMMARY

There is disclosed herein a trunnion bearing for use in a pintle pivot joint of aircraft landing gear and other uses. The trunnion bearing includes an inner ring that has a first exterior surface and a first interior surface. The first exterior surface has a spherical contour. The trunnion bearing includes an outer ring that has a second interior surface and a second exterior surface. The second interior surface has a spherical contour. The inner ring is disposed at least partially in the outer ring. The trunnion bearing has a metallic (e.g., copper based alloy) liner disposed between the first exterior surface of the inner ring and the second interior surface of the outer ring. The inner ring and/or the outer ring are made from a titanium based alloy.

In one embodiment, the metallic liner is secured (e.g., bonded or adhered) to the second interior surface of the outer ring and the metallic liner is in sliding engagement with the first exterior surface of the inner ring. In one embodiment, metallic liner has a thickness of 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm, when installed in the trunnion bearing. In one embodiment, metallic liner has a thickness of about 1 mm, when installed in the trunnion bearing.

In one embodiment, the trunnion bearing includes a bushing that has a third exterior surface and a third interior surface. The third exterior surface has a contour complementary to that of the first interior surface of the inner ring. The third exterior surface engages the first interior surface. The third interior surface is substantially cylindrical and has one or more first lubricant reservoirs formed therein. The first lubricant reservoir is configured to dispense a first lubricant therefrom.

In one embodiment, the first lubricant reservoir includes one or more grooves (e.g., spiral groove) formed in the third interior surface of the bushing.

In one embodiment, a wiper ring is disposed in the third interior surface of the bushing. The wiper ring is configured to seal a first lubricant between the third interior surface and a shaft rotatingly mounted in the bushing.

In one embodiment, the inner ring is a split ring having two axial splits thereby creating a first inner ring segment and a second inner ring segment that are abutted against one another.

In one embodiment, a portion of the inner ring is coated (e.g., via a physical vapor deposition process) with a titanium nitride material or a chromium nitride material.

In one embodiment, the inner ring is secured to the bushing via swaging, staking, pinning, thermal fitting and/or interference press fitting.

In one embodiment, there is one or more recesses in the metallic liner which function as a second lubricant reservoir for dispensing a second lubricant between the metallic liner and the first exterior surface of the inner ring.

In one embodiment, a second lubricant (e.g., silicone grease) is disposed between the first exterior surface of the inner ring and the metallic liner.

In one embodiment, one or more passages (e.g., holes) extends through the outer ring for replenishment of the second lubricant to the trunnion bearing.

In one embodiment, the metallic liner is retained (e.g., axially) in the outer ring by at least one inwardly facing shoulder.

There is disclosed herein a method of installing a metallic liner on a spherical surface. The method includes, providing a flat sheet of a metal material having a thickness of 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm. A strip of the flat sheet is arranged in a profile to conform to a portion of the spherical surface and gaps (e.g., tapered gaps or slots) are formed in the flat sheet. The method includes conforming the flat sheet over the portion of the spherical surface thereby creating a conformed sheet, eliminating the gaps and covering the portion of the spherical surface. The conformed sheet is secured to (e.g., adhered or bonded to) the portion of the spherical surface. A spherical contour is established (e.g., machined) on an exposed surface of the conformed sheet. In one embodiment, a flat sheet of metal material having a thickness of about 1.2 mm is used and the ultimate thickness of the metal material after the spherical contour is established is 1.0 mm.

In one embodiment, the profile and gaps are cut into the flat sheet with a water jet, laser, abrasion cutting tool, machining tool, torch, and/or electro discharge machining process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of the trunnion bearing of the present invention;

FIG. 1A is a cross sectional view of a portion of the inner ring;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the trunnion bearing of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is an enlarged cross sectional view of a portion of the trunnion bearing of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3B is an enlarged cross sectional view of a portion of the trunnion bearing of FIG. 1 and shown with a shaft extending therethrough;

FIG. 3C is an enlarged cross sectional view of a portion of the trunnion bearing of FIG. 1 shown with two recesses in the lubricious liner;

FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing of an enlarged cross section of the lubricious liner of the trunnion bearing of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the outer ring of the trunnion bearing of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the trunnion bearing of the present invention without a bushing;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the trunnion bearing of the present invention;

FIG. 7A is an enlarged cross sectional view of a portion of the trunnion bearing of FIG. 7;

FIG. 8 is an end view of the trunnion bearing of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9A is an enlarged cross sectional view of a portion of the trunnion bearing of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9B is an enlarged cross sectional view of a portion of the trunnion bearing of FIG. 7 and shown with a shaft extending therethrough;

FIG. 9C is an enlarged cross sectional view of a portion of the trunnion bearing of FIG. 7 shown with two recesses in the metallic liner;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the trunnion bearing of FIG. 7 showing a lubrication groove in an external surface of the outer ring;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a portion of an inside surface of the outer ring of the trunnion bearing along line 11-11 of FIG. 9A;

FIG. 11A is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the inside surface of the outer ring of the trunnion bearing depicted in FIG. 11;

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of the trunnion bearing of the present invention without a bushing;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a metallic liner in a flat sheet profiled configuration; and

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the metallic liner of FIG. 13 shown in a spherical contoured configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a trunnion bearing is generally designated by the numeral 10. The trunnion bearing 10 has utility in aircraft landing gear as well as other applications. The trunnion bearing 10 includes an inner ring 12 having a first exterior surface 12E and a first interior surface 12K. The inner ring 12 extends between a first axial end 12X and a second axial end 12Y thereof. The first exterior surface 12E has a spherical contour. In one embodiment, the inner ring 12 is manufactured from a titanium alloy, such as Ti-6Al-4V (UNS R56500; ASTM Grade 5 titanium; AMS 4967; 5.50-6.75 weight percent Al, 3.50-4.50 weight percent V, remainder Ti) or Ti555 (Ti-5Al-5Mo-5V-3Cr-0.6Fe; 5 weight percent Al, 5 weight percent Mo, 5 weight percent Cr, 0.6 weight percent Fe, remainder Ti). In one embodiment, at least a portion (e.g., any or all of the first exterior surface 12E, first interior surface 12K, the first axial end 12X and the second axial end 12Y of the inner ring 12) of the inner ring 12 is or are coated with a titanium nitride material 12Z as shown, for example, in FIG. 1A. For example, the titanium nitride material is applied via a physical vapor deposition process. The inner ring 12 is a two-piece split configuration in which the inner ring 12 has two axial splits 13A and 13B creating a first inner ring segment 12A and a second inner ring segment 12B that are abutted against one another at the splits 13A and 13B, as shown in FIG. 2. Use of the two-piece split configuration having the two axial splits 13A and 13B creating the first inner ring segment 12A and the second inner ring segment 12B allows the inner ring 12 to be assembled in the outer ring 14. While the inner ring 12 is shown and described as having the two inner segments 12A and 12B with the two splits 13A and 13B, the present invention is not limited in this regard as the inner ring 12 may have more than two segments and splits.

As shown in FIG. 1, the trunnion bearing 10 includes an outer ring 14 that has a second interior surface 14K and a second exterior surface 14E. The outer ring 14 extends between a first end 14X and a second end 14Y thereof. The second interior surface 14K has a spherical contour. A portion of the inner ring 12 is disposed in the outer ring 14. The outer ring 14 includes a mounting flange 14F that extends radially outward from the exterior surface 14E of the outer ring 14, at the first end 14X of the outer ring 14. The mounting flange 14F has four holes 14H extending therethrough for receiving fasteners (not shown). In one embodiment, the outer ring 14 is manufactured from a titanium alloy, such as Ti-6Al-4V (UNS R56500; ASTM Grade 5 titanium; AMS 4967; 5.50-6.75 weight percent Al, 3.50-4.50 weight percent V, remainder Ti) or Ti555 (Ti-5Al-5Mo-5V-3Cr-0.6Fe; 5 weight percent Al, 5 weight percent Mo, 5 weight percent Cr, 0.6 weight percent Fe, remainder Ti). In one embodiment, at least a portion of the outer ring 14 is coated with a titanium nitride material. For example, the titanium nitride material is applied via a physical vapor deposition process.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3A, the trunnion bearing 10 has a lubricious liner 70 (e.g., a self-lubricating liner) disposed between the first exterior surface 12E of the inner ring 12 and the second interior surface 14K of the outer ring 14. The lubricious liner 70 has a surface 70F that is secured to the second interior surface 14K of the outer ring 14. The lubricious liner 70 has a surface 70E that is in sliding engagement with the first exterior surface 12E of the inner ring 12. While the surface 70F of the lubricious liner 70 is described as being secured to the second interior surface 14K of the outer ring 14 and the surface 70E is in sliding engagement with the first exterior surface 12E of the inner ring 12, the present invention is not limited in this regard, as the surface 70E of the lubricious liner 70 may be secured to the exterior surface 12E of the inner ring 12 and with surface 70F of the liner 70 being in sliding engagement with the interior surface 14K of the outer ring 14.

The lubricious liner 70 is manufactured from a material having low friction characteristics or qualities. The lubricious liner 70 (e.g., a self-lubricating liner) is machinable to achieve final fit-up dimensions for installation purposes. In one embodiment, the lubricious liner 70 is manufactured from Uniflon® HP and/or Uniflon® HP-A brand liner materials. Uniflon® is a trademark of Roller Bearing Company of America®. Uniflon® brand liners are made from a mixture of polymeric resin systems, combined with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and other lubricating materials. Uniflon® brand liners are molded, machinable and self-lubricating to achieve low friction and low wear rates.

In one embodiment, as shown for example in FIG. 4, the lubricious liner 70 is a woven fabric 80. The woven fabric 80 includes a plurality of fibers 80A, 80B, 80C, and 80D interwoven with one another and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) 84 interwoven therewith. The fibers 80A, 80B, 80C, and 80D include, for example, a polyester material, a stainless steel material, PTFE and/or glass material. The fibers 80A, 80B, 80C, and 80D interwoven with the PTFE enhance bondability of lubricous liner 70 to the second interior surface 14K of the outer ring 14 or the first exterior surface 12E of the inner ring 12. In one embodiment, PTFE fibers are dispersed in a resin that adheres the fibers 80A, 80B, 80C, and 80D together. In one example, the lubricious liner 70 is Lubron® TF woven PTFE fabric liner which is commercially available from Roller Bearing Company of America®, Oxford, Conn., United States. The lubricious liner 70 has properties and characteristics sufficient to withstand high loads with insignificant wear. In one embodiment, the liner 70 is not machinable, for example the liner 70 with the woven fabric 80. In one embodiment, the liner 70 is machinable, for example a moldable liner. It should be understood that the specific examples provided above are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the present invention to any specific brand or type of lubricious liner.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3A, the trunnion bearing 10 includes a bushing 20 having a third exterior surface 20E and a third interior surface 20K that extend from a first axial end 20X to a second axial end 20Y of the bushing 20. The third exterior surface 20E has a contour complementary to that of the second interior surface 12K of the inner ring 12. The third exterior surface 20E engages the first interior surface 12K. In one embodiment, the bushing 20 is manufactured from a copper based alloy, such as, for example, CuNi₃Si according to NF L14-701/ASTM B411. The third interior surface 20K is substantially cylindrical and has a first lubricant reservoir 20R formed therein. In one embodiment, the first lubricant reservoir 20R is formed by a spiral groove 20G formed in the third interior surface 20K of the bushing 20. While the first lubricant reservoir 20R is shown and described as being a spiral groove 20G, the present invention is not limited in this regard as one or more grooves of any configuration may be employed. While the trunnion bearing 10 is shown and described in FIG. 1 as having the bushing 20, the present invention is not limited in this regard as other configuration are contemplated including those without the bushing 20, as shown for the trunnion bearing 10′ of FIG. 6, described further herein.

In one embodiment, the inner ring 12 and the outer ring 14 are manufactured from the titanium alloy and the bushing 20 is manufactured from a copper based alloy.

As best shown in FIG. 3A, the trunnion bearing 10 includes a wiper ring 40 disposed in the third interior surface 20K of the bushing 20, proximate the second axial end 20Y. The wiper ring 40 is configured to seal a lubricant 30 (e.g., lithium based grease, for example Aeroshell® 33) between the third interior surface 20K and a shaft (shown in FIG. 3B as element number 96) rotatingly mounted in the bushing 20. In one embodiment, the wiper ring 40 is manufactured from a fluorosilicone material. The bushing 20 is configured to have the lubricant 30 applied during assembly and replenished (e.g., supplied between the first axial end 20X and the second axial end 20Y) as necessary after assembly and during use of the trunnion bearing 10. Excess amounts of the lubricant 30 can be discharged out of the bushing 20 at the first axial end 20X as indicated by the arrow Q1.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the inner ring 12 is secured to the bushing 20 by staking 25. While the inner ring 12 is described as being secured to the bushing 20 by staking 25, the present invention is not limited in this regard as the inner ring 12 may be secured to the bushing 20 by swaging, staking, pinning, thermal fitting and/or interference press fitting. As best shown in FIG. 3A, the bushing 20 includes a shoulder 20W located proximate the first axial end 20X. The shoulder 20W extends radially outward from the third exterior surface 20E. The first axial end 12X of the inner ring 12 abuts the shoulder 20W.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 5, the outer ring 14 includes a circumferential groove 14G formed in the second interior surface 14K. The lubricious liner 70 is secured in the groove 14G thereby forming a recess 90G (e.g., a groove) in the lubricious liner 70. The recess 90G is configured as a second lubricant reservoir 90R for dispensing a second lubricant 50 (e.g., silicone grease) between the lubricious liner 70 and the first exterior surface 12E of the inner ring 12. The lubricant 50 is disposed between the first exterior surface 12E of the inner ring 12 and the lubricious liner 70. The inventors have surprisingly discovered that the recess 90G and second reservoir 90R can advantageously be formed in the lubricious liner 70 and although it has been long recognized that lubricious liners do not need a further lubricant and that the recess 90G in the lubricious liner 70 has surprising utility in functioning as the second reservoir 90R for the second lubricant 50 and a trap for debris. The first and second lubricants 30, 50, respectively, may be the same or of different formulations. The inventors have surprisingly found that the second lubricant 50 may be disposed in the second lubricant reservoir 90R only once during assembly without the need for a grease replenishment system (e.g., lubrication holes) over the life of the trunnion bearing 10. In one embodiment, the lubricious liner 70 has one or more recesses 90G to form one or more second reservoirs 90R. For example, an embodiment of the present invention is shown with two recesses 90G and two second reservoirs 90R in FIG. 3C. The inventors have discovered that the trunnion bearing 10 disclosed herein provides maintenance free operation (e.g., the second lubricant 50 is added to the trunnion bearing 10 only during the initial assembly thereof) for an extended life compared to prior art bearings, without the need to replenish the second lubricant 50 (e.g., silicon grease) and is configured to accommodate misalignment of the inner ring 12 relative to the outer ring 14 with a lower friction and decreased torque compared to the prior art bearings, and thus increases the fatigue life of the airframe structure in which the trunnion bearing 10 is installed. The trunnion bearing 10 is also of a lighter weight than the prior art bearings and is therefore more suitable for use in aircraft landing gear where weight reduction is an important design consideration.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3A, the trunnion bearing 10 includes a seal 95 (e.g., an O-ring) that is seated in each of two grooves 12Q, each located proximate the first end 14X and the second end 14Y of the outer ring 14. Each of the seals 95 are in sliding and sealing engagement with surfaces of the respective groove 12Q in the outer ring 14 and/or with first exterior surface 12E of the inner ring 12. In one embodiment, the seals 95 are manufactured from a fluorosilicone material.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the trunnion bearing 10 is configured as maintenance free in that no paths, ports, lubrication supply openings or conduit, fittings, conduits or passages are provided in the outer ring 14, the inner ring 12 or between the inner ring 12 and the outer ring 14 for the replenishment of the second lubricant 50 from outside the trunnion bearing 10 into second lubricant reservoir 90R, the recess 90G or elsewhere between the liner 70 and the inner ring 12. Instead, the liner 70, the outer ring 14, the inner ring 14 and the seals 95 are a barrier 98 for external replenishment and/or discharge of the second lubricant 50 from the trunnion bearing 10. The second reservoir 90R is configured as an internal dispensing system that contains a sufficient quantity of the second lubricant 50 for dispensing to the liner 70 for the entire life of the trunnion bearing 10, after the manufacture and assembly of the trunnion bearing 10. The second reservoir 90R is configured as an internal dispensing system that contains a sufficient quantity of the second lubricant 50 for dispensing to the liner 70 for the entire life of the trunnion bearing 10, after the manufacture and assembly of the trunnion bearing 10.

As shown in FIG. 4, the second lubricant 50 is distributed (e.g., spread over the surface 70E of the liner 70 and the first exterior surface 12E of the inner ring 12, as indicated by arrow L10, for example) via the second reservoir 90R by movement, rotation, vibration, temperature differential, heating, cooling and/or misalignment of the inner ring 12 relative to the outer ring 14. The second lubricant 50 is therefore disposed on and between the surface 70E of the liner 70 and the first exterior surface 12E of the inner ring 12, but is not infused, impregnated, contained in or added to the liner 70 or the inner ring 12 or outer ring 14. In one embodiment, the second lubricant 50 is disposed on the disposed on and between the surface 70E of the liner 70 and the first exterior surface 12E of the inner ring 12 at a thickness greater than 0.005 inches. In one embodiment, the second lubricant 50 is disposed on the disposed on and between the surface 70E of the liner 70 and the first exterior surface 12E of the inner ring 12 at a thickness greater than 0.007 inches. In one embodiment, the second lubricant 50 is disposed on the disposed on and between the surface 70E of the liner 70 and the first exterior surface 12E of the inner ring 12 at a thickness greater than 0.008 inches.

As shown in FIG. 6, the trunnion bearing 10′ includes the inner ring 12 that has the first exterior surface 12E and the first interior surface 12K; and the outer ring 14 that has the second interior surface 14K and the second exterior surface 14E, but the bushing 20 is optional or eliminated. A portion of the inner ring 12 is disposed in the outer ring 14. The lubricious liner 70 is disposed between the first exterior surface 12E of the inner ring 12 and the second interior surface 14K of the outer ring 14. The outer ring 14 includes the groove 14G formed in the second interior surface 14K and the liner 70 is secured in the groove 14G and the second interior surface 14K thereby forming the recess 90G in the lubricious liner 70. The recess 90G is configured as a lubricant reservoir 90R for dispensing the lubricant 50 (e.g., silicone grease) between the lubricious liner 70 and the first exterior surface 12E of the inner ring 12.

Referring to FIG. 7, a trunnion bearing is generally designated by the numeral 110. The trunnion bearing 110 has utility in aircraft landing gear as well as other applications. For example, the trunnion bearing 110 has utility in pintle pivot joints of aircraft landing gear which includes a pintle pin, wherein the landing gear rotates about and is supported by the pintle pin when the landing gear is extended and retracted relative to the aircraft. The pintle pin, pintle pivot joint and the trunnion bearings 110 therein are highly stressed during landing maneuvers.

As shown in FIG. 7, the trunnion bearing 110 includes an inner ring 12 having a first exterior surface 12E and a first interior surface 12K. The inner ring 12 extends between a first axial end 12X and a second axial end 12Y thereof. The first exterior surface 12E has a spherical contour. In one embodiment, the inner ring 12 is manufactured from a titanium alloy, such as Ti-6Al-4V (UNS R56500; ASTM Grade 5 titanium; AMS 4967; 5.50-6.75 weight percent Al, 3.50-4.50 weight percent V, remainder Ti) or Ti555 (Ti-5Al-5Mo-5V-3Cr-0.6Fe; 5 weight percent Al, 5 weight percent Mo, 5 weight percent Cr, 0.6 weight percent Fe, remainder Ti). In one embodiment, at least a portion (e.g., any or all of the first exterior surface 12E, first interior surface 12K, the first axial end 12X and the second axial end 12Y of the inner ring 12) of the inner ring 12 is or are coated with a titanium nitride material. For example, the titanium nitride material is applied via a physical vapor deposition process. In one embodiment, at least a portion (e.g., any or all of the first exterior surface 12E, first interior surface 12K, the first axial end 12X and the second axial end 12Y of the inner ring 12) of the inner ring 12 is or are coated with a chromium nitride material. For example, the chromium nitride material is applied via a physical vapor deposition process. The inventor has surprisingly found that applying the lubrication to the surface of inner ring 12 and outer ring 14 results in significantly increased performance and life of the trunnion bearing 110 over impregnating the surfaces with the lubrication. In the depicted embodiment, a powder or dusting is deposited on the surface of the material rather than integrating the lubrication into a porous surface to form a substrate or impregnating a material in a vacuum.

As shown in FIG. 8, the inner ring 12 of the trunnion bearing 110 is a two-piece split configuration in which the inner ring 12 has two axial splits 13A and 13B creating a first inner ring segment 12A and a second inner ring segment 12B that are abutted against one another at the splits 13A and 13B, as shown in FIG. 8. Use of the two-piece split configuration having the two axial splits 13A and 13B creating the first inner ring segment 12A and the second inner ring segment 12B allows the inner ring 12 to be assembled in the outer ring 14. While the inner ring 12 is shown and described as having the two inner segments 12A and 12B with the two splits 13A and 13B, the present invention is not limited in this regard as the inner ring 12 may have more than two segments and splits.

As shown in FIG. 7, the trunnion bearing 110 includes an outer ring 14 that has a second interior surface 14K and a second exterior surface 14E. The outer ring 14 extends between a first end 14X and a second end 14Y thereof. The second interior surface 14K has a spherical contour. A portion of the inner ring 12 is disposed in the outer ring 14. The outer ring 14 includes a mounting flange 14F that extends radially outward from the exterior surface 14E of the outer ring 14, at the first end 14X of the outer ring 14. The mounting flange 14F has four holes 14H extending therethrough for receiving fasteners (not shown). In one embodiment, the outer ring 14 is manufactured from a titanium alloy, such as Ti-6Al-4V (UNS R56500; ASTM Grade 5 titanium; AMS 4967; 5.50-6.75 weight percent Al, 3.50-4.50 weight percent V, remainder Ti) or Ti555 (Ti-5Al-5Mo-5V-3Cr-0.6Fe; 5 weight percent Al, 5 weight percent Mo, 5 weight percent Cr, 0.6 weight percent Fe, remainder Ti). In one embodiment, at least a portion of the outer ring 14 is coated with a titanium nitride material. For example, the titanium nitride material is applied via a physical vapor deposition process. In one embodiment, at least a portion outer ring 14 is coated with a chromium nitride material. For example, the chromium nitride material is applied via a physical vapor deposition process.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9A, the trunnion bearing 110 has a metallic liner 170 (e.g., a liner made from a copper based alloy such as ToughMet® 3 (C72900; CuNi15Sn8; 15 weight percent Ni, 8 weight percent Sn, balance Cu) disposed between the first exterior surface 12E of the inner ring 12 and the second interior surface 14K of the outer ring 14. The metallic liner 170 has a surface 70F that is secured to (e.g., bonded or adhered to) the second interior surface 14K of the outer ring 14. The metallic liner 170 has a surface 70E that is in sliding engagement with the first exterior surface 12E of the inner ring 12. While the surface 70F of the metallic liner 170 is described as being secured to the second interior surface 14K of the outer ring 14 and the surface 70E is in sliding engagement with the first exterior surface 12E of the inner ring 12, the present invention is not limited in this regard, as the surface 70E of the metallic liner 170 may be secured to the exterior surface 12E of the inner ring 12 and with surface 70F of the liner 170 being in sliding engagement with the interior surface 14K of the outer ring 14. In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 11, the metallic liner 170 has a thickness T8 of about 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm. In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 11, the metallic liner 170 has a thickness T8 of about 1 mm.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 9A, in one embodiment, the trunnion bearing 110 includes a bushing 20 having a third exterior surface 20E and a third interior surface 20K that extend from a first axial end 20X to a second axial end 20Y of the bushing 20. The third exterior surface 20E has a contour complementary to that of the second interior surface 12K of the inner ring 12. The third exterior surface 20E engages the first interior surface 12K. In one embodiment, the bushing 20 is manufactured from a copper based alloy, such as, for example, CuNi₃Si according to NF L14-701/ASTM B411. The third interior surface 20K is substantially cylindrical and has a first lubricant reservoir 20R formed therein. In one embodiment, the first lubricant reservoir 20R is formed by a spiral groove 20G formed in the third interior surface 20K of the bushing 20. While the first lubricant reservoir 20R is shown and described as being a spiral groove 20G, the present invention is not limited in this regard as one or more grooves of any configuration may be employed. While the trunnion bearing 110 is shown and described in FIG. 7 as having the bushing 20, the present invention is not limited in this regard as other configuration are contemplated including those without the bushing 20, as shown for the trunnion bearing 110′ of FIG. 12, described further herein.

In one embodiment, trunnion bearing 110 has the inner ring 12 and the outer ring 14 manufactured from the titanium alloy and the bushing 20 is manufactured from a copper based alloy.

As best shown in FIG. 9A, the trunnion bearing 110 includes a wiper ring 40 disposed in the third interior surface 20K of the bushing 20, proximate the second axial end 20Y. The wiper ring 40 is configured to seal a lubricant 30 (e.g., lithium based grease, for example Aeroshell® 33) between the third interior surface 20K and a shaft (shown in FIG. 9B as element number 96) rotatingly mounted in the bushing 20. In one embodiment, the wiper ring 40 is manufactured from a fluorosilicone material. The bushing 20 is configured to have the lubricant 30 applied during assembly and replenished (e.g., supplied between the first axial end 20X and the second axial end 20Y) as necessary after assembly and during use of the trunnion bearing 110. Excess amounts of the lubricant 30 can be discharged out of the bushing 20 at the first axial end 20X as indicated by the arrow Q1.

As shown in FIG. 9A the inner ring 12 of the trunnion bearing 110 is secured to the bushing 20 by staking 25. While the inner ring 12 is described as being secured to the bushing 20 by staking 25, the present invention is not limited in this regard as the inner ring 12 may be secured to the bushing 20 by swaging, staking, pinning, thermal fitting and/or interference press fitting. As best shown in FIG. 9A, the bushing 20 includes a shoulder 20W located proximate the first axial end 20X. The shoulder 20W extends radially outward from the third exterior surface 20E. The first axial end 12X of the inner ring 12 abuts the shoulder 20W.

As shown in FIGS. 9A and 11, the recess 90G does not penetrate the outer ring 14 or the metallic liner 170. The recess 90G is configured as a second lubricant reservoir 90R for dispensing a second lubricant 50 (e.g., silicone grease) between the metallic liner 170 and the first exterior surface 12E of the inner ring 12. As shown in FIGS. 7, 7A, 9A, 9B, 9C, 10, 11, 11A and 12, the outer ring 14 has a lubrication groove 177G extending circumferentially around the second exterior surface 14E of the outer ring 14. One or more lubrication supply holes 177H (e.g., four equally spaced passages) extend axially through the groove 177G and open into the second reservoirs 90R to supply the lubricant 50 thereto. Referring to FIG. 7A, the second lubricant 50 flows in the direction of arrow F9 into the second reservoir 90R. Lubricant 50 moves between the first exterior surface 12E and the metallic liner 170 and ultimately exits the assembly in the direction of arrows F10. In the depicted embodiment, two outer ring shoulders 14Q retain the metallic liner 170 axially between the outer ring 14 and the inner ring 12.

As shown in FIGS. 9A-9C, the lubricant 50 is disposed between the first exterior surface 12E of the inner ring 12 and the metallic liner 170. The first and second lubricants 30, 50, respectively, may be the same or of different formulations. The inventors have surprisingly found that the second lubricant 50 may be disposed in the second lubricant reservoir 90R and may be replenished as required during use or after initial assembly. In one embodiment, the metallic liner 170 has one or more recesses 90G to form one or more second reservoirs 90R. For example, an embodiment of the present invention is shown with two recesses 90G and two second reservoirs 90R in FIG. 9C. The trunnion bearing 110 is configured for misalignment of the inner ring 12 relative to the outer ring 14 with a lower friction and decreased torque compared to the prior art bearings, and thus increases the fatigue life of the airframe structure in which the trunnion bearing 110 is installed. The trunnion bearing 110 is also of a lighter weight than the prior art bearings and is therefore more suitable for use in aircraft landing gear where weight reduction is an important design consideration.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9A, the trunnion bearing 110 includes a seal 95 (e.g., an O-ring) that is seated in each of two grooves 12Q, each located proximate the first end 14X and the second end 14Y of the outer ring 14. Each of the seals 95 are in sliding and sealing engagement with surfaces of the respective groove 12Q in the outer ring 14 and/or with first exterior surface 12E of the inner ring 12. In one embodiment, the seals 95 are manufactured from a fluorosilicone material.

As shown in FIG. 11, the second lubricant 50 is distributed (e.g., spread over the surface 70E of the metallic liner 170 and the first exterior surface 12E of the inner ring 12, as indicated by arrow L10, for example) via the second reservoir 90R by movement, rotation, vibration, temperature differential, heating, cooling and/or misalignment of the inner ring 12 relative to the outer ring 14. The second lubricant 50 is therefore disposed on and between the surface 70E of the liner 70 and the first exterior surface 12E of the inner ring 12, but is not infused, impregnated, contained in or added to the liner 70 or the inner ring 12 or outer ring 14. In one embodiment, the second lubricant 50 is disposed on and between the surface 70E of the liner 70 and the first exterior surface 12E of the inner ring 12 at a thickness greater than 0.005 inches. In one embodiment, the second lubricant 50 is disposed on the disposed on and between the surface 70E of the metallic liner 170 and the first exterior surface 12E of the metallic liner 170 at a thickness greater than 0.007 inches. In one embodiment, the second lubricant 50 is disposed on the disposed on and between the surface 70E of the metallic liner 170 and the first exterior surface 12E of the metallic liner 170 at a thickness greater than 0.008 inches.

As shown in FIG. 12, the trunnion bearing 110′ includes the inner ring 12 that has the first exterior surface 12E and the first interior surface 12K; and the outer ring 14 that has the second interior surface 14K and the second exterior surface 14E, but the bushing 20 is optional or eliminated. A portion of the inner ring 12 is disposed in the outer ring 14. The metallic liner 170 is disposed between the first exterior surface 12E of the inner ring 12 and the second interior surface 14K of the outer ring 14. The recess 90G in the metallic liner 170 does not penetrate the second interior surface 14K. This is depicted in detail in FIG. 11A. The recess 90G is configured as a lubricant reservoir 90R for dispensing the lubricant 50 (e.g., silicone grease) between the metallic liner 170 and the first exterior surface 12E of the inner ring 12.

The present invention includes a method of installing the metallic liner 170 on a spherical surface, such as the second interior surface 14K of the outer ring 14. The method includes providing a flat sheet 170R (see FIG. 13) of a metallic material having a thickness of 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm. As shown in FIG. 14, the method includes arranging a strip of the flat sheet 170R in a profile to conform to a portion of the spherical surface 14K. A plurality of gaps 170G (e.g., tapered gaps) are formed in the flat sheet 170G. The plurality of gaps 170G are depicted in an offset manner, but the present invention is not limited in this regard as the plurality of gaps 170G can be aligned with one another, at an angle relative to one another, or disposed in any other orientation that helps the flat sheet 170R conform to the spherical surface 14K. The flat sheet 170R is bent to conform portions of the spherical surface 14K and additional pieces the flat sheet 170R are conformed and assembled together in a puzzle-like manner to cover a predetermined portion of the spherical surface 14K and thereby creating a conformed sheet 170Q in which the gaps 170G are eliminated E.g., closed gaps 170G′). An outer surface 170B of the conformed sheet 170Q is secured to the portion of the spherical surface 14K, for example by bonding or adhering. An inside surface 170X of the conformed sheet 170Q is machined to establish a spherical contour on an exposed surface of the conformed sheet 170 and thereby forming the metallic liner 170. In one embodiment, a flat sheet of metal material having a thickness of about 1.2 mm is used and the ultimate thickness of the metal material after the spherical contour is established is 1.0 mm. In one embodiment, the profile and gaps are cut into the flat sheet 170R with a water jet, laser, abrasion cutting tool, machining tool, torch and/or electro discharge machining process.

Although the invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments thereof, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, upon a reading and understanding of the foregoing disclosure that numerous variations and alterations to the disclosed embodiments will fall within the scope of this invention and of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A trunnion bearing comprising: an inner ring having a first exterior surface and a first interior surface, the first exterior surface having a spherical contour; an outer ring having a second interior surface and a second exterior surface, the second interior surface having a spherical contour; the inner ring being disposed at least partially in the outer ring; a metallic liner consisting of a copper based alloy, the metallic liner being disposed between the first exterior surface of the inner ring and the second interior surface of the outer ring; and at least one of the inner ring and the outer ring comprising a titanium based alloy; wherein the metallic liner is retained in the outer ring by at least one inwardly facing shoulder.
 2. The trunnion bearing of claim 1, further comprising: a bushing having a third exterior surface and a third interior surface, the third exterior surface having a contour complementary to that of the first interior surface of the inner ring, the third exterior surface engaging the first interior surface, the third interior surface being substantially cylindrical and having a least one first lubricant reservoir formed therein, the at least one first lubricant reservoir being configured to dispense a first lubricant therefrom.
 3. The trunnion bearing of claim 1, wherein the metallic liner is secured to the second interior surface of the outer ring and the metallic liner is in sliding engagement with the first exterior surface of the inner ring.
 4. The trunnion bearing of claim 2, wherein the at least one first lubricant reservoir comprises at least one groove formed in the third interior surface of the bushing.
 5. The trunnion bearing of claim 4, wherein the at least one groove is of a spiral configuration.
 6. The trunnion bearing of claim 1, further comprising a wiper ring disposed in the third interior surface of the bushing, the wiper ring being configured to seal a first lubricant between the third interior surface and a shaft rotatingly mounted in the bushing.
 7. The trunnion bearing of claim 1, wherein the inner ring is a split ring having at least two axial splits creating at least a first inner ring segment and a second inner ring segment that are abutted against one another.
 8. The trunnion bearing of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the inner ring is coated with a titanium nitride material or a chromium nitride material.
 9. The trunnion bearing of claim 8, wherein the titanium nitride material or the chromium nitride material is applied via a physical vapor deposition process.
 10. The trunnion bearing of claim 2, wherein the inner ring is secured to the bushing via at least one of swaging, staking, pinning, thermal fitting and interference press fitting.
 11. The trunnion bearing of claim 1, further comprising at least one recess in the metallic liner, the at least one recess being configured as a second lubricant reservoir for dispensing a second lubricant between the metallic liner and the first exterior surface of the inner ring.
 12. The trunnion bearing of claim 1, further comprising a second lubricant disposed between the first exterior surface of the inner ring and the metallic liner.
 13. The trunnion bearing of claim 12, wherein the second lubricant comprises silicone grease.
 14. The trunnion bearing of claim 12, further comprising at least one passage extending through the outer ring for replenishment of the second lubricant to the trunnion bearing.
 15. The trunnion bearing of claim 1, wherein the metallic liner has a thickness of 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm. 